Brandery 2011 graduate
Choremonster will get a boost after its recent connection to Startup America.
Startup America (SA) is a private organization that has connected dozens of partners who have supplied more than $1 billion (yes “billion”) to help startups and eventually bring jobs to the economy. SA requirements are simple: startups must be for-profit and employ at least two people if they were founded in 2006 or later, or at least six people if they were founded in 2001 or later. Once accepted, clients get a Growth Kit, which includes five main resources; expertise, services, talent, customers and capital.
Expertise comes in the form of training, mentors and advisors. Services are provided at reduced costs, talented people are recruited, new markets are located, and capital is provided for funding.
“Their board of founders is incredible,” says Chris Bergman, founder of Choremonster. “The partnership offers they have available are super helpful.”
Choremonster was developed by Bergman and Paul Armstrong, the partners of Over-the-Rhine-based WiseAcre Digital. Their app aims to make doing chores enjoyable by giving kids points once for completing chores. Accumulated points lead to real-life rewards chosen by parents.
The duo worked in the Brandery’s 12-week incubation program along with seven other startups last year. Participants of the Brandery receive mentoring and $20,000 in seed funding, much like what Choremonster will receive through SA.
“It’s amazing how many options are available for startups today, even compared to one year ago,” Bergman says. “We just looked at what was out there and found tools we could use. It just augments the resources you already have.”
Currently, Choremonster is in the private Beta stage and has settled on a start date, but Bergman isn’t sharing that with anyone yet. He does say that he and Armstrong plan on hiring a couple of employees in 2012.
“It kind of blew my mind when we looked around and saw what we could get almost for free,” Bergman says. “People might be intimidated by applying for things, but the worst thing that happen is you get denied.”
By Evan Wallis
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